Swollen fingers in the mornings.

[smokeybacon]

I am waking up every morning with swollen fingers. I can't get my rings off and my hands stay hot most of the day. Sometimes on the mornings my finger joints feel really stiff too. I know it's hot at the moment but this has been going on for about 4 weeks so pre heatwave.

Should I bother the GP with this? Anyone else get this? I am worried (a bit) that its the start of arthritis and I'm only 42....

I mentioned that I was getting "sausage" fingers when running (so very different potential cause, but same outcome), and it was suggested I needed more water to prevent fluid retention. Might that help?

Otherwise, yes, sounds like a routine appointment with the GP.

Hi Smokey.
I'm sure you'd have mentioned this in your post, but you don't have psoriasis, do you?

Is it not just the heat? I've been getting similar since it's been hot and I'm 34. My fingers hurt i I try to, say, open a can or something.

I am sure the heat doesn't help but I noticed this before it started getting hot. No, no psoriasis.

I do do a bit of running. I am inclining towards big style water retention. Is this something that happens if you are dehydrated, do you think ?as i haven't , I know, been drinking enough fluids, until the hot weather started and I upped my water intake.

The water thing sounds feasible to me (though I'm not an expert). I've had quite swollen toes sometimes which I've ended up putting down to water retention.

Only thing I'd say is that if there's ever pain as well, or the morning stiffness is really bad (i.e., generally if it seems like it's potentially something inflammatory in the joints), then sooner rather than later to the GP can help to nip it in the bud. But I'm sure you're aware of that anyway. The only reason I asked about psoriasis is that "sausage digits" can be a sign of psoriatic arthritis. But in my understanding, you'd almost always have the skin stuff first.

Hope it clears up soon.

Not sure i helpful or not, but I have psorasis since I was 11 now 27, I have at last also been told I have psoriatic arthritis now, although had the syptoms for some years. i wake up with large fat fingers which also feel stiff, and takes me a while to get moving properly. can't say it's got "lots worse" but would adv you to go see gp for rheumy appointment to rule out. Hope everything turns out ok